Where Did the QWERTY Keyboard Come From?

Origins...

Typing, typing, typing...

The QWERTY layout on your keyboard may seem random, but it was actually designed to solve a major problem with early typewriters, cnn.com reports.

For an intriguing video on the development of the keyboard layout millions of us take for granted everyday: http://www.cnn.com/videos/cnnmoney/2016/11/16/qwerty-inside-story-cnnmoney.cnnmoney/video/playlists/atv-cnn-digital-exclusives/

Photo: Pinterest.

Interior Designs That Turn Off Home Buyers

Useful tips...

Keep selling simple and steady.

You want your home to look its best, and maybe you’ve been inspired by the interior design trends you’ve seen in magazines, on TV or on design websites, Patricia-Anne Tom reports on realtor.com.

But following some of the hottest home remodeling and interior design trends can backfire when it comes time to sell your home, Tom wrote.

When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s best to put things in pristine, move-in condition and remove all of the individual touches that made your house a home, Tom advised.

For some useful tips:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/10-interior-design-trends-turn-off-home-buyers/?is_wp_site=1&cid=soc_2017editorial_20161017_66961716

Photo: Tumblr.

White House North in Midtown

Trump Tower...

Midtown after dark.

The Manhattan White House of Donald J. Trump is in the center of one of the busiest and richest urban corridors in the world, close to major corporate and bank headquarters and expensive high-rises, nytimes.com reports.

The protection of Mr. Trump during visits to Trump Tower presents challenges unlike those of any previous president, the news service wrote.

Over the years, I spent time in the former IBM Building at 590 Madison Ave. and have enjoyed the 590 Atrium.

For a guide to Trump Tower:  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/28/us/trump-tower-security.html?_r=0

Photo: Giphy.

Smile: The Best Way to Start Your New Week

Fun...

Treats?  I love treats.

Start your new week with a smile:  

-- GEICO: If you're a cat:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7gx-g7PnTM

-- IBM: Serena Williams + Watson:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR7kyIxQ000

-- IBM: Watson on personalization:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag12vSmvu8I

-- IBM: A world with Watson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PujCkDAXji8

-- Dos Equis: Who is the new Dos Equis guy?:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWgIGC44eeE

-- I Won't Let You Down: Ok Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZB_rGFyeU

-- The One Moment: Ok Go: http://www.mortonsalt.com/walkherwalk/

Photo: Tumblr.

Musical Moments: Zimmer, Fantasia's Mother Nature

Disney classic...

Mother Nature.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is music by Hans Zimmer for Disney's Fantasia:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEAAaboz9J8

Photo: Giphy.

Darien Sees Slower Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

A rushing stream in autumn.

Darien saw a slower residential real estate market in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- One new listing of property for sale;

-- Four price changes;

-- Four accepted offers;

-- Two properties going under contract, and

-- Six closings.

For more:

New Beauty and the Beast Coming in March

Looks like a beauty...

Emma Watson in Disney's new Beauty and the Beast.

There are still plenty of blockbusters to come in 2016, but attention has already turned to the perhaps most anticipated film of 2017, a live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson as Belle, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as the Beast, and Luke Evans as Gaston, Elizabeth Stamp reports on architecturaldigest.com.

In August coproducer Jack Morrissey shared several behind-the scenes photos, giving fans a peek at what to expect when the movie is released next March, Stamp wrote.

For more, including a look at the new film's trailer: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/preview-the-production-design-of-beauty-and-the-beast-in-these-new-set-photos?mbid=social_twitter

Photo: Giphy.

New Boeing Jetliner Has Foldable Wings

Jet due in 2020...

The new Boeing 777-9X, the largest twin-engine jet in the world.

Boeing has finalized designs for the 777-9X, which has folding wings and is expected to be the world's largest twin-engine jet when it begins service in 2020, Madeline Stix reports on cnn.com.

For a video on the striking new plane: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2016/11/07/boeing-777-9x-jetliner-bendable-wings.cnnmoney/index.html?sr=twCNN112016boeing-777-9x-jetliner-bendable-wings1101AMVideoVideo&linkId=31329818

Photo: Boeing.

Teaching Reading, Writing in the Soviet Union

School days...

Elementary school, Moscow, 1954.

How were generations of Soviet school children taught to read and write?

Steve Rosenberg, a BBC Moscow correspondent, offers a sampler: https://twitter.com/BBCSteveR/status/800284032630226944/video/1

Photo: Tumblr.

Earthquakes: The Big One Just Got Bigger

New California study...

Reactions to tremors in Los  Angeles.

For years, scientists believed the mighty San Andreas -- the 800-mile-long fault running the length of California where the Pacific and North American plates meet -- could only rupture in isolated sections, Jim Carlton reports on wsj,com.

But a recent study by federal, state and academic researchers showed that much of the fault could unzip all at one, unleashing a rare, singular catastrophe.  Now, insurers have used that research to come up with a new analysis of the damage that could be caused by a statewide break of the San Andreas, Carlton wrote.

For more on a remote possibility but one that could help encourage people in California to take out earthquake insurance: https://www.morningstar.com/news/Market-watch/TDJNMW_2016112090/california-megaquake-could-be-much-more-destructive-new-study-finds.html

Photo: Giphy.

Smile: It's a New Week

Fun ahead...

Swinging in the rain, just swinging in the rain...

Smile: It's a new week ahead:  

-- Rinnai: Dinner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_hVpf7Vh4

-- Adobe: Contract signing day:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDy27rakUBY

-- Nike:  You're not supposed to be here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUgDmpqZlUY

-- Dos Equis: Most interesting man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4zfsy6rsM

-- Dos Equis Most interesting man:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6gdRqNYiSA

-- Dos Equis: Adios, amigo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8C2yfFnt38

Photo: Tumblr.

Musical Moments: Nelson, Always On My Mind

Unforgettable...

 Willie Nelson.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is Willie Nelson's unforgettable, Always On My Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoPYQ-FmQB4

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Ends Busy Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Make a wish...oops.

Darien ended a busy residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Six new listings of property for sale;

-- Three price changes;

-- Five accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Five closings.

For more: 

U.S. Capitol Dome Restoration Completed

Three-year project...

George Washington's statue in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

The renovation of the U.S. Capitol dome is finally finished.

For an nbcnews video of one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in America:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D79tigB0WTs

Photo: Pinterest.

Russia Blocks LinkedIn

Facebook, Twitter on notice...

How times have changed...and are still changing.

Russia's communications regulator ordered public access to LinkedIn's website to be blocked with a court ruling that found the social networking firm guilty of violating a data storage law, fortune.com reported today.

LinkedIn is the first major social network to be blocked by Russian authorities, setting a precedent for the way foreign Internet firms operate, fortune wrote.

For more:  http://fortune.com/2016/11/17/russia-blocks-linkedin/

Photo: Tumblr.

New Google App to Save Old Photos

Copies in seconds...

A new way to enjoy your old photos.

Google introduced PhotoScan yesterday -- a new app that easily scans just about any photo, Jingyu Cui reports on google.com.

PhotoScan gives you great looking digital copies in seconds, Cui wrote.

For more, including a video on how it works with Android and iPhones: https://blog.google/products/photos/now-your-photos-look-better-ever-even-those-dusty-old-prints/

Photo: Google.

Gorgeous Maps of Literature

Brilliant...

Map of great fiction.

Romanticism serves as the bridge between realism, enlightenment, and fantasy in 17-year old Martin Vargic's meticulously comprehensive Map of Literature, Margarita Noriega reports on vox.com.

Vargic is an illustrator of brilliant worlds made out of our own ideas, Noriega wrote.

The Map of Literature, which reviews writers of drama, poetry, nonfiction and prose works, is one of 64 infographics featured in his new book Vargic's Miscellany of Curious Maps.

For more of his wonderful work:  http://www.vox.com/maps/2015/9/25/9397237/literature-map

Photo: Vox.

Home Buying Etiquette

Buying tips...

House hunting for the one that's best for you.

You like being under a microscope? Whatever your answer to that question may be, you’d better get used to being scrutinized when you’re trying to buy a home, Liz Alterman reports on realtor.com.

Your behavior can sway sellers to bestow their precious home on you—or pass you up for someone nicer or way less annoying, Alterman wrote.

For some house buying tips to stay in the good graces of all involved:  http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/home-buyer-etiquette-rules/?cid=soc_2017editorial_20161018_66973096&adbid=788221075008004096&adbpl=tw&adbpr=17351940

Photo: Giphy.

Smile: A New Week is Here

Fun...

Commuting time.

For some fun videos to kick-off your new week: 

-- Audible: Classics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIvWB5UlY-A

-- Audible: Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcA1REsoGU8

-- Audible: Chariot:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRUUq3ejcCU

-- Nike:  Football:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv09DRd4lsM

-- Jeep: Be free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rV-KdxLb2E

Photo: Giphy.

Musical Moments: Rodgers, No Other Love

Beautiful...

Together.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection -- a salute to our veterans on Veterans Day -- is Richard Rodger's beautiful No Other Love, which was featured in the famous Victory at Sea series and later in the Broadway musical Me and Juliet. For No Other Love and more:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5vZ388uv1s

Photo: Pinterest.

Offers, Changes Top Darien Real Estate

Veterans Day...

Thank you.

Accepted offers and price changes topped Darien residential real estate results in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Two new listings of property for sale;

-- Seven price changes;

-- Seven accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Three closings.

For more: 

How the Marine Corps was Founded...Twice

Happy anniversary...

The Iwo Jima Memorial, across the Potomac from Washington, honors the fallen men and women of the USMC.

Today marks the anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps...twice.

For an intriguing history:  http://time.com/4104708/marine-corps-history/

Marine humor. Makes you glad they're on our side.

Semper fi.

Photos: Pinterest.

Surprising Secrets of Air Force One

Personal touches...

Air Force One over Mount Rushmore.

When I received my special air missions certification as a pilot at Andrews Air Force Base, I got a guided tour of the secret places on base, like the SAM command post, which would soon provide me with mission support, and the SAM warehouse, which would provide me with logistical support, Ron Wagner writes on slate.com.

Here are some things I saw that took my by surprise:  http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2016/11/01/what_don_t_most_people_know_about_air_force_one.html

Photo: Pinterest.

Do You Really Understand the Electoral College?

Counting votes...

The electoral path to the White House.

Chances are there are a few things you don't know about how your vote affects an election's results.

For a timely video on how it all works: http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/11/01/electoral-college-explainer-animation-orig.cnn

Photo: Giphy.

Washington: Seats of Power

Political offices...

Carla Hayden, librarian of Congress, in her office.

In official Washington, office space is power, Mikayla Bouchard and Maria Schwartz Taylor report on nytimes.com.

The grandeur of personal real estate conveys status and is used to intimidate and impress. As one administration ends and power brokers prepare to give up their coveted territory, we go to the inner sanctums where history lives and business gets done, they wrote.

For more, including some very nice working quarters: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/politics/seats-of-power.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=1

Photo: nytimes.com.

Light up Your New Week With a Smile

Fun...

"It was a dark and stormy night..."

Light up your new week with a smile:

--  GEICO: Owls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfWIQMAyiVY

-- Progressive: Kool-Aid Man:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qko6wTN_DA

-- Allstate: Forbidden fruit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iz0gPW0i1E

-- YouTube Music: Jaysn's Theme:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT_5zokf8eI

-- Beats by Dre: LeBron James:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCOgaWSfxxs

-- Beats by Dre:  No Strings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwQ9gPsmHHs

Photo: Tumblr.

Musical Moments: Debussy, Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun

Superb...

Claude Debussy.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is Debussy's superb Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYyK922PsUw

Photo: Pinterest.

Darien Finishes Active Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

A Touch of Autumn, Donald Demers.

Darien finished an active residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were;

-- Six new listings of property for sale;

-- Six price changes;

-- Six accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Six closings.

For more:

New Revelations as Christ's Tomb is Unsealed

Holy site...

A conservator cleans slab in Christ's tomb.

Researchers have continued their investigation into the site where the body of Jesus Christ is traditionally believed to have been buried, and their preliminary findings appear to confirm that portions of the tomb are still present today, having survived centuries of damage, destruction and reconstruction of the surrounding Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, Kristin Romey reports on nationalgeographic.com.

"I'm absolutely amazed. My knees are shaking a little bit because I wasn't expecting this,” said Fredrik Hiebert, National Geographic's archaeologist-in-residence. "We can't say 100 percent, but it appears to be visible proof that the location of the tomb has not shifted through time, something that scientists and historians have wondered for decades." Romey wrote.

For more, including a fascinating video:  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/jesus-christ-tomb-burial-church-holy-sepulchre/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_twp20161101news-christtombupdate2&utm_campaign=Content&sf40671072=1

Restoration work on the Edicule of Christ's tomb.

Photo: Pinterest.

Chicago Cubs Win the World Series

Roller coaster...

World Series champs.

Finally.

The most epic drought in sports history is over, and the Cubs are world champions, Paul Sullivan reports on chicagotribune.com.

After 108 years of waiting, the Cubs won the 2016 World Series with a wild 8-7, 10-inning Game 7 victory over the Indians on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.  The triumph completed their climb back from a 3-1 Series deficit to claim the first championship since 1908, Sullivan wrote.

For more about the roller coaster game: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-win-world-series-sullivan-spt-1103-20161102-story.html

For a video of the winning play: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/63106348/v1211009683/ws2016-gm7-cubs-win-world-series-with-game-7-win

For a slide show of celebrating Cubs fans: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/chicago-cubs-world-series-2016-wrigley-field-party-photos

Photo: Chicago Tribune.